Golf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland, in an area close to the royal capital of Edinburgh. In those early days players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club.

The first ever 18-hole course was constructed at St Andrews in 1764, establishing the now recognised standard for the game.

During the 19th century as the might of the British Empire expanded to encompass the globe, so golf followed closely behind. The first golf club formed outside Scotland was the Royal Blackheath (near London) in 1766.

Outside of the UK, India was the first country to adopt golf. The Royal Calcutta Golf Club was set up in 1829, six decades after the St Andrews golf club in Scotland began its journey to become the 'home of golf'.